Qingmiao City, seat of the Duan Sect, was alive in a way Arthur had never seen before. Lanterns of crimson and jade were strung across every street, vendors hawked silks and ribbons, and children darted past in freshly mended robes. Even the simplest farmer wore a new sash, while merchants displayed their finest brocades.
The day of succession had come. The city was preparing to welcome its new Sect Master.
Not even the unveiling of a new pill recipe or the inscription of a unique formation could draw the people out like this. Today, the Duan Sect's Martial Arena at the heart of the Sect Master's Palace would be filled to the brim. Generations would remember who stood on that stage.
Arthur was also in a rush.
His father had left before dawn, secluding himself atop a spirit peak to calm his mind. His mother, however, bustled through the courtyard like a storm.
"Tian'er! Why are you still not dressed?" she shouted, her voice sharp as a bell. "Zi Yan! Bring that boy out!"
Zi Yan, loyal but nervous, cupped her hands with a bow. "At once, Mistress." She turned reluctantly toward Arthur's chamber, but Arthur emerged of his own accord before he could step inside.
He adjusted the folds of his new robe. It was midnight black with faint silver threads that shimmered like constellations when the light struck. A jade clasp secured his collar, and his hair was bound with a pale-blue ribbon.
"On time, Mother," Arthur said evenly.
"You—!" She sighed, shaking her head. "Let's go. I won't miss a single moment today. What were you doing all this time?"
Arthur gave a small smile. "I did not wish to look vague today, Mother. I was… accommodating myself to this robe."
"Hmph! You and your words. Hurry up!"
They set off in haste, their small entourage following. After all, they were no ordinary family. They were the kin of one of the candidates for Sect Master — his father. That made them among the most honored guests invited to the Palace.
They rushed through Qingmiao City, past streets overflowing with townsfolk streaming in the same direction, all bound for the towering spirit peak where the Sect Master's Palace resided.
The Palace itself was no mere mansion. Carved into the mountain face, its walls were hewn of blackstone veined with natural spirit jade, gleaming faintly beneath the morning sun. White cranes flew above, while arrays of warding glyphs faintly glowed along the gates. At its heart stood the Martial Arena, vast enough to hold tens of thousands, built so that even a Luminary's duel would not topple its pillars.
The Duan Sect was not as ancient as some legacies that stretched back ten thousand years, but its roots were firm. Barely a thousand years ago, the Duan family had risen from obscurity, uniting scattered cultivators under one banner. From a single founder, the sect had sprouted many branches. Over centuries, through marriage, talent, and conquest, the Duan name became synonymous with authority in Qingmiao City. Now, its foundation had spread into a mighty tree. But still, it was overshadowed by many sects in the province. And today, that tree was ready to name its new trunk — the next Sect Master.
By the time they reached the gates of the Sect Master's Palace, the crowds had already swelled like a tide. The path leading up to the Martial Arena was packed shoulder to shoulder, disciples in sect robes standing as ushers, guiding the flow of guests.
Arthur and his family were ushered into a high-rise viewer's balcony. Yet, even there, the air was thick with excitement. He could hear the booming voice echoing from within the arena.
They were late.
As they stepped on the stairway, a sect elder was already standing upon the central dais, midway through his greetings. His long grey beard swayed with each word, and his voice carried through the arena with the help of a voice amplification technique.
"— for a thousand years, the Duan Sect has stood as a pillar of Qingmiao, unshaken by the storms of time! Today, we gather not as mere cultivators, nor as disciples and masters, but as one family, bound by the blood and spirit of our founder, Duan Tai Shi, whose will still blesses this sect!"
The audience roared in unison, fists raised in salute.
Arthur's mother tugged his sleeve impatiently, urging him to follow quickly. They hurried to their reserved seats among the honored guests.
The Martial Arena was magnificent. Tiered seats of stone spread outwards, packed with disciples, elders, and invited dignitaries from allied sects. At the very center lay the dueling stage, broad enough for dozens to battle upon it. Array lines glowed faintly on its edges, designed to contain Whiteflare Bloom Realm clashes.
Arthur took his seat, straightening his robe.
The sect elder raised his hand, calming the crowd once more.
"Today, as the heavens witness, the Duan Sect shall name its new master. Let the blood of the Duan family, the pride of our forebears, shine forth in glory!"
The roar returned, shaking the very pillars of the arena.
Arthur's heart stirred. Vague memories of countless movie arena battles flickered through his mind, yet this was different. This was no screen, no illusion. This was real.
The elder's sleeve swept outward, his voice ringing with authority.
"Before the Sect greets its future master, let us honor the pillars of tomorrow, the ten disciples of our Sect Master, each representing one of our Spirit Peaks! They are the blood and breath of the Duan Sect, and today, they stand as witnesses to history!"
The arena fell into respectful silence as ten figures began stepping forward from the sides of the stage. Each disciple walked with deliberate strides, embroidered with the crest of their Spirit Peak.
The elder's voice rang out.
"Duan Qingyao of Crimson Flame Peak!"
A woman in fiery scarlet strode forward gracefully. She halted at the center, her clasped fists raised in salute, and bowed deeply toward the towering dais where the Sect Master presided.
"Disciple Duan Qingyao greets the Sect Master!"
Her voice carried across the arena, sharp and proud, before she straightened. Arthur followed her gaze upward. At the highest platform stood the grand tower dais, veiled behind a curtain. Even unseen, the Sect Master's authority pressed down — an unseen weight that required neither face nor word.
"Duan Chengdao of Nine-Sword Peak!"
A tall man advanced with measured strides, his sword hanging silent at his waist. When his fists clasped in salute, a keen blade aura surged outward, then vanished.
"Disciple Duan Chengdao greets the Sect Master."
"Duan Liang Zheng of Fragrant Herb Peak!"
Arthur's breath stilled as his father stepped forward. He glanced at his mother. She was clenching her fist.
"Disciple Duan Liang Zheng greets the Sect Master."
His tone was steady, betraying nothing of the tension that bound his family.
"Duan Hongwei of Sentinel Shield Peak!"
A burly man strode forward, his steps resounding like hammer blows. Aura was as heavy as a fortress wall, and he bowed low.
"Disciple Duan Hongwei greets the Sect Master!"
"Duan Xianlong of Silver Rune Peak!"
An elegant youth appeared, both hands clasped behind his back. His robe was covered in glowing runes that pulsed like living script, and his bow was fluid and graceful.
"Disciple Duan Xianlong greets the Sect Master."
"Duan Yunfei of Nightshade Peak!"
A lean figure emerged noiselessly from the shadows. His presence was thin as mist even when he moved.
"Disciple Duan Yunfei greets the Sect Master."
"Duan Liangyu of Tempest Fist Peak!"
Wind coiled at his fists as he descended in a swirl of sleeves and flowing hair.
"Disciple Duan Liangyu greets the Sect Master."
"Duan Caixia of Thousand Beast Peak!"
A clear whistle preceded her. At her heel padded a spirit beast cub, small but emanating fierce qi that made the crowd murmur in awe.
"Disciple Duan Caixia greets the Sect Master."
"Duan Zi Xuan of Heaven's Gaze Peak!"
Arthur's eyes narrowed as his uncle approached. Zi Xuan's gaze gleamed faintly. To the crowd, it was the performance of a favored heir. But Arthur knew more — behind that steady bow was the man whose veins still carried the poison Arthur had planted. He couldn't help but smile.
"Disciple Duan Zi Xuan greets the Sect Master."
"And finally, Duan Shuyun of Mystic Cauldron Peak!"
A tall woman in azure robes swept forward. Her hair was bound neatly, and her sleeves were marked with cauldron insignias. A faint alchemical mist lingered about her as she saluted with practiced composure.
"Disciple Duan Shuyun greets the Sect Master."
The ten lined up at the stage's edge and bowed as one, their presence gathering like the ten mighty branches of a single ancient tree saluting its roots.
"These ten are the pride of their peaks, the seedlings that shall one day uphold the heavens of the Duan Sect! Let them stand witness, as we welcome the candidates for Sect Master!"
The arena erupted again in thunderous applause, cheers rolling like waves through the Martial Arena.